Bolivian President Evo Morales Calls New Presidential Elections

(TELESUR) – Bolivian President Evo Morales said Sunday that he was calling new presidential elections after a night of major unrest and violence across the country led by right-wing opposition in what the Bolivian government has denounced as an attempted coup.

Morales, speaking at a press conference in La Paz, also said he would replace the country’s electoral body.

“I have decided to renew all the members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal and call for new general elections,” Morales said in a press conference early Sunday.

Morales also called for calm and peace amid opposition protests and mobilizations, which have turned violent, against his victory in the Oct. 20 elections. “We all have the obligation to make Bolivia peaceful.”

“I make a call of respect between families, of private properties, of authorities, of all the social sectors. All we have in Bolivia is the legacy of the people, and between Bolivians, we can’t come against each other to inflict harm,” the president said.